31.   Although many countries have expressed support for a global ban on anti-personnel mines, they disagree on the best way to achieve it.

32.   Anti-nuclear groups maintain that a court ruling condemning nuclear weapons could form the basis for a global ban.

33.   Anti-nuclear lobbies maintain that a court ruling condemning nuclear weapons can form the basis for a global ban.

34.   Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Monday his government will seek as much support as it can to compel a global ban on antipersonnel land mines.

35.   Australia ordered its defense force on Monday not to use land mines and said it will support a campaign for a global ban.

36.   Berdennikov also said Russia endorses efforts by the conference to complete a global nuclear testing ban treaty this year, including even the smallest tests.

37.   Beijing remains committed to efforts in the Conference on Disarmament to negotiate a global ban on nuclear tests by the end of next year, he said.

38.   Berdennikov also said Russia endorses efforts by the conference to complete a treaty this year to place a global ban on any nuclear weapons test.

39.   Britain is among Western nations hoping to negotiate a global ban on land mines through the U.N. Conference on Disarmament.

40.   Britain retaliated against an EU global ban on its beef exports by systematically vetoing all EU legislative and policy measures requiring a unanimous vote.